Introduction
Criminal Intrusive Staring (CIS) and Visual Tourettic OCD (V-TOCD) differ significantly. This article will explore the physical symptoms, psychological aspects, and potential legal consequences of CIS and V-TOCD.
Criminal Intrusive Staring
According to Transport for London (TfL) and the police, CIS is when someone stares at another person in a way that makes them uncomfortable, intimidated, or frightened. The stare may be prolonged and may include leering, winking, or other inappropriate gestures. This behaviour is considered offensive and may result in legal action if reported.
Physical Symptoms: The victim of CIS might feel fear and discomfort. Some people may feel nauseous, dizzy, or disoriented, whereas others may experience a tightening in their chest or an elevated heart rate. The starer has no regard for the physical symptoms of their staree.
Psychological Aspects: From a psychological perspective, CIS can cause significant emotional trauma for the person being stared at. They may feel violated, humiliated, and powerless. Over time, this can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The person staring has no consideration for the person being stared at.
Potential Legal Consequences: CIS is often regarded as a deliberate act of harassment, which can result in a fine, a restraining order, or a prison sentence.
For example, in May 2022, a man was sentenced to five months in jail after a woman reported him to the police for “continuously staring” at her on a train. The man was found guilty of causing intentional harassment. He sat next to the victim on the train. Then he began staring at her “very intently”. The woman repeatedly asked him to stop, but he continued to stare despite her distress. At the time of his sentencing, a sergeant from the British Transport Police made an observation. He said it was clear from the defendant’s “persistent and distressing actions that he is a danger to women and girls”.
Visual Tourettic OCD
Ocular tension in Visual Tourettic OCD (VTO) is a condition that causes involuntary visual actions, such as gazing, scanning one’s periphery, and rolling one’s eyes. This condition involves obsessions and compulsions related to visual actions. For example, suppose someone gazes at a person’s pelvic or chest area. In this case, they might worry others will think they’re immoral (obsession) and ruminate (compulsion) about being arrested for CIS. The person staring has great respect for the individual they are looking at and worries the other person may feel offended or upset.
Physical Symptoms: The physical symptoms of someone with V-TOCD can be anxiousness and feelings of panic with a fight-or-flight or freeze response. These symptoms are worsened by ridicule and stigma from those around them. However, they want others to know they mean no harm and worry about causing unintentional distress.
Psychological Aspects: V-TOCD causes significant psychological distress for the person experiencing the symptoms. The visual actions, also known as tics because of their suddenness, can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, unemployment, and isolation. Over time, this can contribute to physical symptoms, such as increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Potential Legal Consequences: Involuntary gazing in V-TOCD is not a criminal offence, even though getting stuck staring may appear disruptive in certain settings, such as the workplace or while travelling on public transport.
For example, a man with V-TOCD reported experiencing gazing behaviours he could not control. He said that he often felt embarrassed and ashamed by these behaviours and that they negatively affected his relationships with others. Additionally, he had trouble concentrating at work, and his colleagues ridiculed him and labelled him a creep, while others avoided him, embarrassed by his alleged motives. As a result, he could not work anymore due to depression and subsequent isolation. However, eventually, he sought professional help and was able to manage his symptoms with medication, cognitive-based exposure response prevention and habit reversal training.
Conclusion
In short, CIS and V-TOCD differ in origin, physiological and psychological aspects, legal implications, and prevention strategies. While CIS is intentional and socially unacceptable, V-TOCD is involuntary and associated with a mental health disorder. Therefore, educating people about consent and harassment related to CIS, along with legal consequences, could help prevent intrusive staring and support a safer, more inclusive society. Conversely, increasing awareness and addressing V-TOCD through therapy can assist individuals in healing, restoring social connections, and rejoining the workforce without discrimination.
Raising Awareness
The OCD community is actively working to raise awareness and educate others about visual Tourettic OCD. They stress that this condition is neurological and not a reflection of personal shortcomings. Individuals with this disorder may find themselves involuntarily glancing at private areas or body markings, such as scars and tattoos, as well as at people in their peripheral vision. While these behaviours might seem rude and can lead to uncomfortable social situations, those affected have no intention of being disrespectful or causing any discomfort. In fact, their involuntary gaze often leads to significant emotional distress, and they frequently feel guilty for any embarrassment or discomfort they may unintentionally cause others.
Further reading:
Address Staring OCD: How To Manage Visual Tics And Obsessions
Through the Eyes of OCD: Understanding Tourettic Tics and Involuntary Gazing